Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent, 10th March

“He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us; he has struck us down, but he will bandage our wounds;”

Hosea 5:15-6:6

As we journey through Lent, we invite you to join us in accompanying refugees. Today we hear from a JRS staff member. Where do you sense the Lord at work in her story?

Danielle’s Story

Danielle, a JRS staff member who accompanied Rose on part of her journey, reflects on meeting Rose and the amazing courage and strength it took for her to find safety.

“I cannot shake off her urgent challenge. I remember especially her words: “if there are people crying, no one hears”, because they speak of an ignored suffering that is the fruit of so much injustice and conflict in our world today.

“Although Rose cannot locate any hope in her life right now, I did feel a glimmer when I listened to her, because of her determination to fight against oppression, even at such a terrible cost to herself.

“The least we can do, when people like Rose turn up on our doorstep, is to take their side, and to learn from them, by listening to what they are trying so hard to tell us through their heroic choice and desperate appeals. And to do whatever we can so that their sacrifices will not be in vain.”

#Do1Thing

As Danielle reflects on Rose’s story she reminds us that the least we can do is to “take their side, and to learn from them, by listening to what they are trying so hard to tell us”.

Our refugee friends often face mistrust and hostility. Therefore, today, we invite you to consider how you can extend a hand of welcome to refugees. Maybe there is a refugee family within your community. Offer friendship, and be open to what you might learn from our refugee brothers and sisters in return.